Enthusiasts thrilled by world champion's visit

CARRIAGE riding is a burgeoning sport on the Coast and this month holds an exciting surprise for enthusiasts in the area when world champion Boyd Exell visits Kentish.

Apple Isle Carriage Drivers will be hosting Exell on January 26 and 27 when he will hold skills clinics for participating members.

Apple Isle Carriage Drivers president Chris Hearle said hosting the world champion at Kentish was a real coup for the sport and said he hoped that it would increase the popularity of the sport in the region.

"I met Boyd during a clinic in New South Wales in 2010 and I asked him then if he'd consider coming down to Tasmania sometime and he said he would," Mr Hearle said.

"We hope that it will help to promote the sport among the general equestrian population and help grow its popularity."

Apple Isle Carriage Drivers has about 20 members in the Kentish area and Mr Hearle said his members were excited about hosting the Australian-born world champion.

"It's really exciting to know that we have the world champion in Australia. It really does things for the sport," Mr Hearle said.

Carriage driving is a high-octane sport with packs of horses being driven at full gallop through and around obstacles placed on a course and Mr Hearle said it was great fun to watch.

He said the clinics would be open to spectators and said it was sure to provide great entertainment.

nBoyd Exell clinics will be held on January 26 and 27 at the Gowrie Park rodeo ground. Clinics on the Sunday will run from 1pm until 7pm, including a dinner for invited guests. Monday's activities will run from 8.30am until 2pm. Tickets for spectators will cost $10 each.